Friday, October 5, 2012

FALL CHORAL CONCERT FOCUSING ON MUSIC IN THE SPIRITUAL TRADITION

Ashland
University’s fall choral concert presents a program of music in the spiritual tradition including mostly, but not exclusively, Christian texts by composers from several
centuries in various musical styles. The concert will feature three University vocal ensembles including the Ashland University Choir,
Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland University Women’s Chorus on Sunday, October
14, 4:00 p.m. at the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The performance is free
and open to the public.

Conducted by Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, and
accompanied by University organist Dr. Timothy Guenther, the Ashland
Area Chorus will present two major oratorio choruses by George Frideric
Handel including “Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound” from Samson, and “Sing Unto God” from Judas
Maccabeaus, along with John Rutter's “Open Thou Mine Eyes.”

Dr. Blackley will also conduct the Ashland University Choir performing Jacques Arcadelt's "Ave Maria"
from the Italian Renaissance period, two settings of the famous poem “I
Am the Rose of Sharon” from
the Biblical Song of Songs by the early American composer William
Billings and contemporary Swiss composer Ivo Antognini, and "The Eyes of
All" by twentieth century American composer Jean Berger. The University Choir will also sing "True Light," a gospel-style piece
by Keith Hampton, with piano accompaniment by Bret Cowden, senior vocal
performance major from Paris, Ohio; and "My Soul’s Been Anchored in the
Lord” by Moses Hogan, the
greatest composer and arranger of African-American spirituals in the
latter
part of the twentieth century.

The Ashland University Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Marla Butke,
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education, will perform two
Native American pieces and sacred music by Antonio Caldera, Eleanor
Daley, and John Rutter with Holly Allan as accompanist. The Native
American songs arranged by Barbara Sletto will feature Alex VanScoy on
recorder for "Ancient Mother," and Stephen Morsher on percussion for
"The Earth Is Our Mother." The sacred pieces will include Nancy
Grundahl's arrangement of Caldera's "Laudamus Te," Daley's "The Cloths
of Heaven," Rutter's "A Clare Benediction," and Valerie Shields
arrangement of E. Amiran's "Mayim, Mayim" with Don Haught on flute.

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ASHLAND MUSIC NEWS is a blog to provide news and information about our programs, students, faculty, and ensembles.Ashland University is a private, comprehensive institution in Ashland, OH, founded in 1878.The Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.